With diabetes, our pancreas does not produce enough insulin—a hormone which regulates our blood sugar—and/or our body resists the insulin we produce. As a result, we are unable to move our blood sugar into muscle or fa t cells where it will be burned or stored for energy.

Over time, people with diabetes can experience kidney problems, nerve damage, weakened immune systems, increased chance of stroke and heart attack, sores and infections and vision problems. But, people who are able to control their blood sugar, cholesterol levels and blood pressure can limit the likelihood of these symptoms.